The Senate Appropriations Committee has advanced a bill that would cut the topline budgets of NASA, the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, by 1 to 2 percent each.

The National Science Foundation is mulling how aggressively to pursue its 10 big ideas for future investment, which were crafted to justify budget increases but face an uncertain future in the current budget climate.

Last week, the House Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee welcomed National Science Foundation Director France Córdova to testify on the fiscal year 2018 budget request. Members showed strong support across-the-board for the foundation while asking tough questions about the budget’s proposed 11 percent cut for the agency. Committee members also asked about specific programs and facilities.

President Trump is requesting an 11 percent funding decrease for the National Science Foundation in fiscal year 2018, which would bring its budget to $6.7 billion. Research directorate leaders were provided flexibility in determining how to distribute the cuts, leading to a range of proposals.